Dancing with the Stars Season 34’s emotional Dedication Night saw celebrities honoring their loved ones with deeply personal routines, a first in the show’s history with family members joining them on the dance floor. Among the most heartfelt performances was Jen Affleck‘s Viennese Waltz, a powerful tribute to her mother, Maria, and all mothers, performed despite a challenging week of illness.
Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) Season 34 delivered an evening of profound emotion and impressive routines during its highly anticipated Week 5: Dedication Night. This special episode, which aired on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, transcended typical ballroom competition by inviting celebrities to perform tribute dances dedicated to significant people in their lives. For the first time in the show’s history, these routines featured family members and friends joining the celebrity contestants and their professional partners on the dance floor, adding an unparalleled layer of intimacy and connection.
The ballroom, graced by former professional dancer and two-time Mirrorball champion Kym Herjavec (née Johnson) as a guest judge, saw a dwindling cast after Hilaria Baldwin‘s elimination in Week 4. The remaining ten couples embraced the challenge, transforming the night into a series of deeply personal narratives expressed through dance.
Jen Affleck’s Emotional Journey to the Dance Floor
One of the evening’s most anticipated and resonant performances came from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jen Affleck and her partner, Jan Ravnik. Their Viennese Waltz, set to “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle, was a heartfelt dedication to Affleck’s mother, Maria, and her children. This tribute carried extra weight as Affleck had battled sickness throughout the week, making rehearsals particularly challenging.
Despite feeling unwell, Jen Affleck pushed through, determined to honor her mother and convey a powerful message to all parents. “My mom is everything to me. She means the world. I didn’t realize how much she did for me growing up until I became a mom myself,” Affleck shared in an Instagram video. Her dedication extended beyond her own family, as she emphasized, “If you’re a mom watching this, you’re seen, you’re loved, and you’re appreciated.” This sentiment resonated deeply with viewers and the judges, earning her a score of 29 out of 40 for the week.
Throughout her challenging week of illness, Jen Affleck‘s husband, Zac Affleck, stepped up to provide crucial support, ensuring she could focus on recovery and rehearsal. “He’s been my rock throughout this whole journey,” she shared in an exclusive with AOL.com. This familial backing highlighted the personal sacrifices and dedication behind each celebrity’s participation in the demanding competition.
Other Memorable Dedications and Fan-Favorite Moments
Dedication Night was rich with other touching performances that resonated with the audience and celebrated unique bonds:
- Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa performed a Viennese Waltz to “Daughters” by John Mayer, dedicated to her father, Timothy Chiles.
- Social media star Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy danced a contemporary to “Sparks” by Coldplay, honoring Earle’s younger sister, Izabel, and crediting her with bringing their family closer after their parents’ split.
- Dylan Efron, brother of actor Zac Efron and winner of Traitors Season 3, and Daniella Karagach delivered a contemporary routine to “Rewrite the Stars” by Zac Efron & Zendaya, dedicated to his little sister, Olivia. This performance earned them the top score of the night with 36 points.
- A nostalgic reunion unfolded as Boy Meets World star Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov danced a jive to the show’s theme song, featuring her beloved former co-star William Daniels (Mr. Feeny) on the ballroom floor.
- Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten performed a foxtrot to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole, dedicated to her Parent Trap costar and close friend, Lisa Ann Walter, marking another heartwarming reunion.
- Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold performed a foxtrot to Hoying’s own song, “Parallel,” a loving tribute to his husband, Mark Hoying.
- Wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and Witney Carson danced a contemporary to “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins, dedicating the performance to his mother, Terri Irwin, in an incredibly vulnerable routine.
- Whitney Leavitt, also from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and Mark Ballas performed a contemporary to “Heal” by Jamal Roberts, dedicated to her husband, Connor.
- Comedian Andy Richter and Emma Slater performed a salsa to “Jump in the Line” by Harry Belafonte, dedicated to his daughter, Cornelia.
Week 5 Scores and the Current Leaderboard
The competition intensified as the celebrities poured their hearts into their dedication dances. Here’s a breakdown of the scores for Week 5, as reported by Just Jared:
Week 5 Leaderboard:
- Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach – 36 out of 40
- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson – 35 out of 40
- Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy – 35 out of 40
- Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas – 33 out of 40
- Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa – 32 out of 40
- Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten – 30 out of 40
- Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold – 30 out of 40
- Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik – 29 out of 40
- Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov – 29 out of 40
- Andy Richter & Emma Slater – 24 out of 40
The cumulative scores reflect a season of consistent effort and growth from all contestants. Here’s the full season leaderboard after Dedication Night:
Full Season Leaderboard:
- Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas – 119
- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson – 116
- Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy – 116
- Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach – 112
- Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa – 112
- Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten – 108
- Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik – 105
- Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov – 102
- Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold – 101
- Andy Richter & Emma Slater – 85
The Enduring Appeal of Dedication Night
Dedication Night remains a pivotal and beloved episode each season because it allows celebrities to peel back the layers of their public personas and share deeply personal stories. The unprecedented inclusion of family and friends on the dance floor this season amplified the emotional impact, creating truly unforgettable moments that resonated with viewers. From nostalgic reunions to heartfelt tributes, these performances underscored the powerful connections that inspire and drive the contestants, making the pursuit of the Mirrorball Trophy all the more meaningful.
Dancing with the Stars continues to air live every Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with streaming available on Hulu and Disney+.
